Here - Out & About Newspaper

12
SPOTLIGHT: The current
editorial board
Huff shares what O&AN has done for her
by PATRICK ARMSTRONG, MANAGING EDITOR
editor@outandaboutnewspaper.com
One might think that putting together Out & About Newspaper
is an easy one-person job. Well I can testify that it takes many
talented, hardworking individuals to put all of the puzzle pieces of
the newspaper together.
There of course is our amazing staff of contributing writers
and photographers who work to product the meat of O&AN and the
website content. But behind the scenes is the editorial board who
assign stories, find advertisers, provide technical support for the
OUTANDABOUTNEWSPAPER.COM OCTOBER 2012
website and deal with all of the stress day in and day
out that running a publication has.
The current editorial board is made up of Jerry
Jones, publisher; Allen Haley, sales manager; Donna
Huff, advertising production designer; Ryan Huber,
webmaster; Neil Ward, layout and production designer;
and myself as managing editor and creative director.
Huff volunteered with O&AN during our first
year as a layout designer. “I had picked up O&AN
on the newsstand at my college. Still dealing with an
emotional coming out to my family, knowing there was
a large GLBT community in the Nashville area helped
me to have a better perspective of my situation,” she
said. “Becoming involved in the paper seemed like the
most direct way to make a connection to others with
similar experiences at a time when aspects of my life
seemed very uncertain.”
She moved to Middle Tennessee from a rural
area where homosexuality was always treated very
hush-hush. “Becoming involved with the paper was a
defining moment for me. Not only did I make lasting
friendships, but the paper also heavily influenced my
career path,” Huff said.
By working with O&AN, Huff met her future
employers, which she values because that meant she
did not have to hide her personal life. “At a time when
others are still worried they could be fired over sexual
orientation, I am relieved that I have not had to share
that same burden,” she said.
Besides our publisher, Huff has been with O&AN
longer than the others on the editorial board and has
many fun memories from over the years. “Early on, I
received a layout back with a single word from Jerry
written on the side ... ‘NO.’ He’s smoothed off some of
his rough edges since then.”
When asked about why she thinks the newspaper
is important to the community, Huff said, “Without
question, being able to see the paper on the stands in
the community and at local universities helps those
struggling with their sexuality understand others like
them exist.”
I can speak confidently for the rest of the editorial
board and say we loving doing this everyday. For the
past 10 years we have been that vital link to GLBT
community in Tennessee that does not get the attention
it deserves.
Being in such an unprogressive state, we hope that
O&AN has brought light into everyone’s life that reads
the paper and visits our website.
It is our hope to continue to be a part of your life in
reporting the news going on in the community, and we
welcome suggestions for stories and contributing staff
members to help us on this journey together. Thanks
for a great 10 years! O&AN
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